The Finns
constructed a new factory in north-western Romania,
near the town of Cluj-Napoca,
in a very interesting business maneuver. In consequence Bochum
factory in Germany
will be closed. Due to the discontentment of their German workers and probably
to avoid any more media attacks, Nokia has agreed to pay each Bochum worker $129,090.

A total of
$292 million has been sent to the Bochum
factory in compensation for its closure. With a staff of 2,300 employees, this
sum will be split each worker receiving in the region of 80,000 euros. In
addition, 15 million euros, some 24 million dollars, will be spent on helping workers
to find new jobs.

In January,
when closure of Bochum factory was announced, a
continuous stream of criticism targeted Nokias’ decision, even more Germany’s
Finance Minister urged the Finns to reconsider their resolution. When European
media kept smashing a hammer in the business image and employee policy of
Nokia, it is by no wonder that the Finns try to leave Bochum with their hands washed.

At first
sight this seems a generous action taken by Nokia, but in reality it is a mere
business maneuver. The new factory in Jucu, 12 km away from Cluj-Napoca,
Romania, will give regular employees
an average salary of 200 euros, by far less than workers at Bochum who probably received payment in the
region of 2,000 euros.